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The Roanoke Times

File April Desi Simmons was the Group A girls' soccer player of the year.

Desi Simmons accomplished quite a bit during her senior year at Radford High School.

Simmons won the state shot put title, took home sixth place in the state discus competition and set a school indoor record in the shot put.

Despite all of those accomplishments, track and field was never first in Simmons' heart.

"If she had focused solely on track, it's hard to say what she could have done," Radford girls' soccer coach Lee Boehling said. "She was certainly successful, but she dedicated a larger percentage of her time playing soccer."

That commitment paid off.

The goalkeeper was named the Group A player of the year by the Virginia High School Coaches Association after leading Radford to an 18-3 record and an appearance in the Group A semifinals.

She allowed 11 goals this year.

Simmons' play also earned her a spot in today's VHSCA all-star game at Captains Field on the campus of Christopher Newport University.

Simmons, who will suit up for Division III Maryville next year, began playing soccer at a young age.

"My dad got me into soccer when I was 5 with rec league, and I really liked it," Simmons said. "I pretty much tried every sport, but soccer is the one that I stuck with."

Simmons' fondness for the sport grew when she began playing year-round with the Radford club team.

Boehling said Simmons' athletic ability and experience separate her from other goalies.

"She makes very, very difficult things look easy because of her athletic ability," he said.

Athleticism is something that comes naturally to Simmons.

Her father, Derrick Turner, still holds the school's indoor shot put and discus records, while her uncle Douglas Turner Jr. was a football and track standout in the 1980s.

Her family's legacy put pressure on Simmons to get her name into the record book.

"Ever since I was little, I've said that I wanted to make my own name at Radford," Simmons said.

She has done more than that.

Radford won the Group A girls' soccer championship in 2007 thanks in part to the outstanding play of Simmons.

In addition to being selected to the All-Timesland team this season, Simmons captured the Three Rivers District and Region C player of the year awards.

Among other things, Simmons credits her fun-loving and energetic personality for her success.

"A lot of people know me as the dancing goalie," Simmons said. "When I stand back in the goal, I'm usually dancing or goofing off."

Today, Simmons will get one last chance to dance before taking her game to Maryville.

"I'm ready to go," Simmons said. "I'm ready to see what everyone can bring to the table, and get a little action."